An “impossible” challenge: Lewis Hamilton gives verdict on Mercedes updates for F1 Austin GP. Lewis Hamilton reflects on the Mercedes updates for Austin, anticipating an “impossible” challenge.

Mercedes is preparing updates for the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas, but Lewis Hamilton announces an “impossible” challenge. The Brackley team aims to quickly return to contention for victories, but the momentum of McLaren, Red Bull, and Ferrari seems to have weakened. Problems with the floor have slowed the development of the W15, which now needs a small miracle to get back on track.

It’s been a season of highs and lows, strange and unpredictable. First Red Bull, then Ferrari, then McLaren, and even Mercedes: all four top teams have experienced exciting spells, but Woking’s seems the only one that could truly last. Milton Keynes and Maranello remain close to the MCL38, while the Silver Arrows have struggled to regain performance after Spa-Francorchamps.

An important package will arrive in Austin, out of sync with the rest of the grid, which appears to have opted to spread its improvements across the American triple-header. This step is hoped to restore some brilliance to the car in Brackley, but it will need time to be tested. According to Lewis Hamilton, excelling at the Austin circuit in Texas will be almost “impossible.”

“Others have brought updates at times when we didn’t,” the Brit explained. “We’re bringing one here, for example. Others brought theirs to Zandvoort and Monza; I believe that was the case for Ferrari, so I think we’ve been a bit out of sync, and in the end, we’ve lost our way with the setup.” – the seven-time Formula 1 world champion pointed out.

“I think we’ve understood where we went wrong, and I hope that this weekend we can start again with a better balance. Of course, it’s quite impossible, unless you’re lucky and [the update] works from the start. Last year we came here, and I didn’t have to change much, and the balance was perfect from the beginning. Nine and a half times out of ten, it’s not like that.” – the British driver added.

“It’s difficult, but everyone is in the same boat,” concluded the seven-time World Champion. “This puts a lot of pressure and focus on the simulation. The simulations haven’t been optimal in the last year or so, but we’re constantly working on them. Others put the car on track, and it works right away.”